NFC East Makes It Tough For Redskins

Since 1970, 19 teams representing the NFC in the Super Bowl have hailed from the NFC East. This year will be another competitive one for what is widely regarded as the best division in football, which features quarterbacks such as Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning and Tony Romo and other stars such as Brian Westbrook, Brandon Jacobs and, as of recently, Albert Haynesworth.

The Redskins started off on a tear last season, roaring to a 6-2 record under first-year head coach Jim Zorn. A slow second half led to a final record of 8-8 and a last place finish in the division. In a league with tough teams such as the NFC, a team such as the Redskins cannot afford to give away games and go 2-6 during any stretch of the season. As always, it will be a grinding year for all four squads, with any having the definite chance of making the playoffs.

The division, however, does not make the Redskins chances seem bright. Eli Manning is two years removed from leading the Giants to the Super Bowl. Brandon Jacobs is always dangerous, and Hakeem Nicks could prove to be a steal at wide receiver at the end of the first round.

Donovan McNabb took the Eagles to four straight NFC Championship games at one point in his career, and with young weapons such as DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy to accompany Brian Westbrook on offense, the Eagles look as dangerous as ever.

The Dallas Cowboys did not add much on draft day, but if Roy Williams become the target for Tony Romo that Jerry Jones thought he could become when he gave up three draft picks for him, that team will always prove to be a threat. Not to mention when the Redskins and Cowboys meet it’s sure to be a smash mouth fight no matter what the teams’ records may be.

Then there is the Redskins. As always, the team made a huge splash in free agency adding DT Albert Haynesworth and lineman Derrick Dockery. Quarterback Jason Campbell will be in the same offense for a second year, something he has yet to have the luxury of in his NFL career. The team can make the playoffs if the pieces click at the right time, but playing in the NFC East never helps.